Lehi, UT Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Carports in Lehi are not separately defined as their own use type; they are governed by the accessory buildings and structures provisions in Chapter 26 (Accessory Uses) of the Lehi City Development Code. The published Lehi accessory building height-and-setback summary on engagelehi.org states that 'accessory buildings less than 16 feet in height can be located within 18 inches of the property line,' that 'accessory buildings between 16 and 24 feet in height have a 5 foot side yard setback,' and that 'accessory buildings taller than 24 feet in height have a minimum 8 foot side yard setback.' It also confirms that 'accessory buildings cannot be located closer than 12 feet to a house on a neighboring lot' and that an accessory building cannot exceed the height of the main residence. Detached carports are typically placed in a side or rear yard rather than a front yard, and they must respect the underlying residential zone's front yard setback because front-yard accessory buildings are restricted under Chapter 26. Attached carports are treated as part of the principal structure and must meet the underlying zone's front, side, and rear setbacks set in the Lehi Development Code dimensional tables for the relevant residential district. The Lehi Building Department, working under the Utah State Construction Code (which adopts the International Residential Code), administers carport permits, electrical permits where applicable, and inspections; the city has indicated that only sheds larger than 200 square feet require a building permit, but a carport's structural and electrical scope generally pushes it above that threshold. Lehi has also amended Chapter 26 in connection with Chapter 39 to add provisions for Accessory Dwelling Units consistent with Utah Code Section 10-9a-530, but a carport remains an accessory structure separate from any habitable ADU. Contact Lehi Building at (385) 201-1035 and Planning at (385) 201-1030 before construction.